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Jamaat welcomes Clinton's visit to Pakistan

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Naib Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami Prof Khurshid Ahmed has welcomed US President Clinton's upcoming visit to Pakistan but said that to make it meaningful for peace and security in South Asia, America should have Kashmir as the top most priority for the region.

He added that India should be told that there is a difference between terrorism and freedom struggle. The freedom struggle is sanctified by UN resolutions and Non-Alligned Movement's (NAM) declaration, which recognise right to self-determination and sanctity of human rights. Resistance to despotism in no way can be called terrorism.

Secondly, US should eschew the notion of allowing Indian hegemony in the region merely because of a big potential market for trade and investment.

Talking to newsmen at the Institute of Policy Studies, Prof Khurshid said that if US promoted Indian hegemony in the region, the concept of free trade would become meaningless.

He added that there was convergence of relations between Pakistan and China, between Pakistan and Iran and also between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Asked to comment on the proposed visit of President Clinton, Prof Khurshid said that being a Muslim country, Pakistan should show respect to a guest but he should urge India to stop violation of human rights in occupied Kashmir and also suppressing the right of self-determination with brute force. It should also stop Russia from devastating Chechen cities and populations. He further suggested that IMF and the World Bank should also stop their assistance to Russia for perpetuating brutalities on innocent citizens.

The naib amir of the Jamaat added that in fact the new millennium ushered in with blood bath of the Muslims in several countries including Chechenya and Kashmir.